The Archangels Battle

by Juliette N Banks

Michael. Return home. Now.

  God. All three of them had obviously received the message, as they all turned to look at one another.

  “You have crossed a line you cannot return from, Zeus,” Michael warned, fury in his voice. “Your message has been heard by my Father.”

  Zeus flinched ever so slightly, but Michael saw it.

  “Let’s go, brothers.”

  Uriel, Gabriel, and Michael stepped apart, spread their large wings, and with great speed, flew up into the sky.

  CHAPTER SIX

  THE SEVEN OF THEM STOOD in the Great Hall, awaiting an audience with their Father. He didn’t exactly have an office; in fact, they rarely met with Him in the same location. They simply waited for Him to accept them and were transported to a location of His choice. All of them could manifest from the energy in the universe, but God, as the source of creation, was clearly the master.

  And it clearly amused Him.

  One day, they may be transported to a tropical beach to meet with God; another, a snowy mountain, a library, or a large grass field. They no longer mentioned it, in the hope He would give up his silly antics, but so far it hadn’t worked. Michael wondered where they would end up for today’s meeting.

  “Was he serious or toying with you?” Raphael asked, crossing his arms and leaning against a pillar.

  “Sounded serious to me,” Gabe replied.

  “Zeus is just on a high after beating the Titans. He’ll settle down,” Uriel said, not looking as confident as his words sounded. He glanced at Michael. “Right? Surely he realizes he doesn’t have the power.”

  Michael looked around the large room and took in the pillars, plants, and large windows which let the sunlight pour in. Outside, a couple of cherubs flew past, and he could hear angels chatting in the distance. He shook his head and looked down at the blue, white, and gold tiles.

  “Hard to know what goes on in that big head of his.”

  “He believes he has the ability,” Zadkiel said. They all looked at him, so he continued. “He is blinded by his ego. Uriel is right; he has an inflamed confidence right now, so he’s looking for his next conquest. What greater one than invading Heaven?”

  “Surely it would be impossible? They don’t have the power,” Jophiel remarked.

  Next minute, they were all standing in an orchard, and God was up a ladder picking apples.

  “Jesus,” Gabriel muttered.

  “Grab a basket, boys,” God said, pointing to a pile of brown wicker baskets at their feet. Chamuel looked at Michael in question, and he shook his head, all fuck if I know. “Hurry up. They’re not going to pick themselves.”

  They were never sure if their Father was mad or just messing with them; the latter was more likely. Never let it be said that God didn’t have a sense of humor. And that’s how all seven of the most powerful beings in the universe picked up a basket and began picking fucking apples.

  He’s literally nuts. You know that, right?

  Michael nodded.

  “Raphael, son, you know I can hear you, right?”

  Michael sniggered.

  “Okay, perhaps we should focus on the problem at hand,” Chamuel said, always the peacekeeper. “The little one about the Olympians wanting to invade Heaven.”

  God handed down a full basket and swapped it with an empty one from Uriel, who did so with a straight face, then eyeballed Michael. “They’ll likely try.”

  “So how do our rules work here?” Michael asked. “I get they have free will, but I’m not letting them through our walls.”

  “Do they even have the power, Father?”

  “We shall soon see,” He replied. If there was one thing they could rely on from God, it was His nonanswers. Every single time.

  “They’re not more powerful than us. Than me,” Michael said.

  “You are my army. It is true you are more powerful.” God shrugged.

  “Great. Then that’s settled. We shall await their attack and destroy them.” He grinned.

  A mix of expressions passed across his brothers’ faces.

  “Well...not the goddesses,” Uriel said.

  “Don’t think we need to go to that kind of extreme.” Gabriel.

  “I’m in.” Raphael.

  “I don’t think it will be that easy.” Jophiel.

  Michael raised his eyebrows at Chamuel, who held his hands up in defense and shook his head.

  “I see.” God stepped down the ladder and pulled off His gloves. The guy was in a shirt and overalls looking like your everyday farmer instead of the creator of everything. And wait for it.

  God picked up an apple and bit into it.

  “Okay, for crying out loud. Can You please tell us what we are to do here!” Michael was infamous for his impatience, and no one tested it better than his Father.

  “No,” God replied. “Protect Heaven and do what you must, but do not interfere with free will.”

  “Same speech, different orchard,” Raphael muttered.

  “What does that even mean?” Michael asked. “We have to stop them, but we can’t interfere?”

  “Physically we can, but not by using our archangel powers,” Zadkiel answered, then glanced at God. “At a guess.”

  God pointed the half-eaten apple at Zadkiel, and with His mouth full, said, “Dich I chewz za wrong Archscwangel?”

  Smartass.

  Michael ignored Raphael’s smirk. Looking around, he noticed they were all smirking. Well, like it or lump it, he was the chosen one. The Supreme Archangel. “Shall I go on holiday while you guys deal with this shitstorm?”

  The smirks disappeared.

  His appeared.

  “Michael. Son,” God started, and he internally rolled his eyes. Here came the speech. “Zeus is a warrior, and he will always desire power. It is up to you to show him his boundaries. You all have the power to protect Heaven, but you may find he has more power than you give him credit for.”

  Fuck.

  “Now. Topic number two. I’ve appointed someone to look after the angels.”

  What?

  “Wait, why? That’s our job,” Raphael exclaimed, looking around at all his brothers. “Who?”

  “Her name is Regina.”

  “The witch?” Michael asked, surprised.

  Regina had come to them after her time on Earth as a human witch, and while not all of her practice had been white, he knew God had shown an interest in her rehabilitation. Why, he didn’t know.

  Raphael was right. The archangels had always watched over the angels. Why was their Father changing that now? And why had He chosen a less than...well, angelic female as their guardian? For a role such as this.

  He was shocked.

  “She’ll be known as queen of the angels, and she will nurture and care for them.”

  “So we—” Raphael started.

  “Will stop shagging them all,” God finished.

  “Unlikely.”

  “Yeah, nah.”

  “Free will, after all.”

  Michael pursed his lips to stop from smiling. Occasionally, their Father gave them a rap over the knuckles for their sexual appetites, but it never got Him anywhere. As if on cue, God sighed.

  “Michael, I want you to meet with her. She will come by your chambers in an hour. Make her feel welcome and help her settle in. All of you.”

  They all nodded, and seconds later, the orchard vanished. They stood in the Great Hall staring at each other. Gabriel gripped his head and flicked his hands out. “Boom!”

  Michael ran a hand through his dark, wavy hair. “Brief the warrior leaders, Raphael. I’ll bring the angel queen around to meet you all in a few hours.”

  With that, he turned and marched off.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  MICHAEL STEPPED OUT of the shower and wrapped the towel around his waist. He shook his head and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His curly dark hair was just long enough to cling to his forehead and neck, and he had a five-o’clock shadow. He had ethereal tattoos across his ch
est and arms, and bright blue eyes that stared back at him.

  He looked the same as he did every day of his entire life. Females desired him. Males feared him. His brothers taunted him.

  Life was as it should be...but for his dream. His recurring dream. It was irregular, but each time he had it, he awoke drenched in sweat with a hard cock, desperate for release.

  In the dream, a blonde female with the most beautiful hazel eyes was draped over him. Nothing horrible about that. Delicious, in fact. Yet, it was the emotions he awoke with that shook him. He was overwhelmed with the need to leap inside the dream to be with this female. To protect her. To...be connected with her once again. Not just physically, but emotionally. And that shook him.

  Nothing shook him.

  Ever.

  Now it had gone beyond his dreams to his waking hours. Thoughts of her haunted him. Who was she? Was she just a dream or someone real? If she was real, he needed to get to her, his fingers itchy to touch her.

  A knock at the door jolted him out of his daze. He looked down and found himself naked, his hand around his cock. He groaned. Closing his eyes, he stroked it a few times, visualizing the female.

  Knock, knock.

  He dropped his hand, then manifested clothing on his body. A black shirt and matching pants. Once again, he pushed the image of the blonde female to the back of his mind and carried on with his life.

  He flashed to the door to greet the impatient knocker. He knew who it was; he was expecting her. Michael opened the door and stared.

  “Archangel Michael.”

  He’d glimpsed her when she’d arrived in Heaven, fresh from her death. The difference was remarkable. She still had long dark hair, big brown eyes, and siren red lips, but now she was more. “Come in.”

  He followed her into his living room and offered her a seat, but not before taking in the tight sheath she wore which hugged her generous curves. She moved with confidence and sensuality, which was new.

  “Congratulations on your new position,” he said, handing her a glass of ambrosia and sitting down in an armchair opposite her.

  “Thank you,” she replied, holding his gaze in what felt like a challenge. “I am looking forward to working with you.”

  “For me.”

  It took her a moment, but eventually, she nodded. “My apologies, Lord Michael. For you.”

  Michael crossed his ankle over his knee and leaned back into the chair, taking a long draw of his drink. “The angels are special, as you can well imagine. They play an important role in the workings of Heaven. My brothers and I are very protective of them. You will guide them, ensure their needs are met, and mentor them.”

  “What do they actually do?”

  He smiled. “When you were human, did you never call out to your angels for help?”

  “No.”

  Ah. “So you were a nonbeliever?”

  “I was a witch. I am still a witch.”

  Michael kept his expression blank and took a few breaths. He’d been alive for...well, forever, and found it easy to read people. It was clear by her confident body language and the way she was talking to the most powerful archangel in existence that Regina had an issue with authority. She had been a rebellious human and was used to getting her own way.

  Death had clearly had no impact on evolving her soul. Was that why God had sent her to him? Either way, her transition under his rule would be difficult for her.

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Well, clearly, I believe now. I have met the guy.” She shrugged.

  “Many don’t.”

  Her eyes widened slightly, but she caught herself. Michael realized this female didn’t trust easily.

  “We will need to ensure you have a full induction if you are to lead the angels. The archangel Zadkiel will teach you what you need to know, but it will take some time. For now, let me show you around and introduce you to everyone.”

  As they stood and headed for the door, she cleared her throat. He turned.

  “I have a question, which perhaps should be asked in private.” She stood at his elbow, her head just reaching his shoulder. He nodded once, showing she should continue. “I understand there is an abundance of promiscuous activity which requires, ah, some taming.”

  Before he could help himself, Michael burst out laughing. He opened the door and placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her out into the hall.

  “Consider this your first lesson. Ignore my Father when it comes to matters of the bedroom. You will have as much luck in stopping my brothers as you do the angels.”

  She glanced back and up at him. “And you? Do you partake in such activities?”

  He saw the sparkle in her eye but didn’t react. Something about her unnerved him. She was an incredibly beautiful woman who oozed sex appeal, yet she was acting coy. Why?

  “I’m no deity, Regina. I am an archangel. Like all beings, we have physical needs. You will find those activities are well enjoyed and received in Heaven and across the heavens.”

  Her large eyes held his. “I have much to learn, it seems.”

  “Indeed. It will take time, but you will adjust to life here.”

  “With your help?” She licked her lips.

  Groan.

  His pants tightened, even though he wished they hadn’t.

  “With all our help.” He continued walking. “You’ve been granted an important role.”

  “One I will do to the best of my ability.”

  He stopped outside a set of double doors. Placing his hand on them, he blocked her from entering. “One other thing. You will not use your magic within the walls of Heaven.”

  “God informed me.”

  “And I am doing the same. I will have my eyes on you, Regina.”

  She nodded. “I am hoping so.”

  He shook his head and pushed open the doors. “Then it’s time you meet the other archangels.”

  They walked into a room scattered with seats, greenery, and a large water feature in the center. It had an open and tranquil feel to it, which he enjoyed. This was a neutral space the archangels used to meet together and relax or hold impromptu meetings when none of them wanted to host the others in their chambers.

  Jophiel, Zadkiel, Chamuel, and Raphael were lounging around on sofas, but he did not see the others. He raised a brow.

  “Uri and Gabe are still on Olympus,” Raphael answered, reading his mind and standing to greet Regina.

  Michael had sent them back to see what else they could find out about Zeus’s plan under the guise of seeing the goddesses. He knew the gods would see through his plan, but he didn’t really give a fuck. “Regina, this is the Archangel Raphael.”

  She curtsied at him, and Michael noticed a slight flush hit her cheeks; he doubted it was a blush. He rolled his eyes. The guy was ridiculously good looking and dropped panties wherever he went.

  “Welcome to Heaven, angel queen. I think we’ll be seeing a lot of you.”

  “So I’ve heard.” She grinned.

  Joph and Cham came sidling up and extended their hands as Michael introduced them.

  “So you’re a witch, huh?” Jophiel asked.

  Regina gathered her dark, long hair on one shoulder and began running her fingers through it. He wondered if she knew how sexy she looked, and if she was doing it on purpose. Michael glanced around at the four enormous males staring down at her slight frame. She was surrounded by multiple pairs of thick thighs, large biceps, and wide shoulders, and seemed thrilled.

  She looked at him, and a little sparkle appeared in her dangerously sensual eyes. Yeah, she was soaking it up.

  “Yes,” she purred. “But both God and Michael have made it clear those days are behind me.”

  “Well, if you wanted my top tip for fitting in around here, it would be to not piss off this big guy,” Raphael said, slapping him on the shoulder.

  Michael returned her look with a blank stare. It was good for her to hear it from multiple sources.

 
“Hello, Regina, welcome.”

  “You must be Archangel Zadkiel. I believe you’ll be training me,” she said, shaking his outstretched hand.

  “Zads is the brains of the family. He’s really the only one who can remember our entire history or which book to look it up in,” Cham said, referring to the shelves of leather-bound books on one wall.

  “Zadkiel,” the guy muttered.

  “And he hates his nickname.” Jophiel grinned.

  “Ignore them. Yes, I’ll be training you. We will start tomorrow and meet daily for the first few months, then monthly from then on. Archangel business pending, of course.”

  Michael left the two of them to talk. Zads was an intellectual, but he was also a powerful warrior. He would be a patient teacher and report back to Michael on any concerns he may have about the new queen.

  It didn’t sit well with any of the archangels that God had appointed this stranger to look after their beloved angels. Had He thought the angels needed a more feminine guidance in their life? It wasn’t worth the eye poking to ask Him directly, as he wouldn’t get a straight answer. The best they could do was train her in their ways and hope she was trustworthy.

  He’d make sure she was.

  “She’s beautiful.”

  “Mm-hmm,” he said in response to Raphael’s comment. “And cunning.”

  “Yeah, I noticed.”

  All of them would have. The archangels may appreciate a sexy female, but they weren’t a bunch of hormonal teens, and she’d be wise to realize that. While they may act like a bunch of bachelors, they were not. They were powerful warriors with one primary purpose in life which stood above all others: protect Heaven and those within its walls.

  “She has her eye on you.”

  Michael shrugged. She wasn’t the first female, and wouldn’t be the last. After the cling-on goddess also known as Artemis, he wasn’t in a hurry to manage another female’s expectations.

  Later that night, they held a welcome party at the Eden’s Bar for Regina. Angels, cherubs, warriors, and other citizens of Heaven attended the central city event, all of them excited by the newcomer. He watched as Regina relished the attention.

  As the evening wore on, he noticed Gabriel and Uriel had not returned.